NAHB Demands Zero Lumber Tariffs and Boosted Domestic Production

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) urged the U.S. administration to boost domestic production of timber from federal lands. It also called for negotiations with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement that will eliminate tariffs. The demands were raised by Jerry Konter, Chairman, NAHB during the recently held virtual listening session by the White House on resolving the supply chain crisis for lumber and building materials.

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NAHB noted that historically high prices for lumber and other building materials have not only affected home prices and rental costs, but have also threatened the economic stability of the nation.

The cost of home building materials has surged higher by nearly one-fifth over the past one year. Since August last year, the price of framing lumber has more than tripled, whereas the oriented strand board (OSB) prices have more than doubled during this period.

Also, lumber production has failed to keep in pace with demand despite record-high lumber prices. The domestic sawmill production increased by just 500 jobs during the previous year, despite sky-high lumber prices.

There has been a significant reduction in timber production from federally owned lands since the 1990s, which in turn has resulted in severely constrained domestic supply, NAHB said.